After-hours and animal emergencies

Coyotes Conflicts and How to Avoid Them

Why are they Here?

Residential areas provide habitat for coyotes. Plentiful food sources exist, such as mice, rabbits and voles. These small animals feed on birdseed, berries and garbage, which are commonly found and easily accessible. Shelter and water can be found in landscaped parks and yards. Space is plentiful throughout parks, trails and natural areas. As coyotes have adapted to the presence of humans, they have lost their natural fear of us.

Coyotes are attracted to neighborhoods due to the availability of garbage, pet food and even pets, which coyotes see as prey. The following list illustrates some of the attractants that draw coyotes close to people. Remove these attractants to discourage coyotes from visiting your property:

Outdoor pet food or water

Birdseed or food sources that attract small mammals

Accessible garbage or compost

Fallen fruit or berries from trees or shrubs

Shrubs, woodpiles, decks or any other structure that can provide cover or be used as a den

Dogs and cats allowed to roam free, and/or female dogs in heat

Discourage a Coyote's Approach

Every citizen can help both people and coyotes by taking action to re-instill them with a healthy and natural fear of people. Clap your hands, yell, honk an airhorn or throw small rocks or sticks when you see coyotes so they can relearn to avoid humans.

Be as big and loud as possible

Wave your arms, clap and throw objects at the coyote

Shout in a loud and authoritative voice

Do not run or turn your back on the coyote

Face the coyote and back away slowly

When are Coyotes a Risk to You?

Although naturally curious, coyotes are usually timid animals and normally run away if confronted. Coyote attacks on humans are rare. In many cases these attacks occur as a result of people feeding coyotes. Coyotes have adequate food supplies and are capable of surviving in the city without our help. A coyote that associates humans with food may become demanding and aggressive. Habituation can cause coyotes to lose their healthy and natural fear of people, become territorial and sometimes aggressive. Coloradoans can share the landscape with these wild neighbors by following three important tips:

Teach Your Children

Never approach wild animals or dogs you don't know!

Call for help

If the animal doesn't leave, walk out of the area, keeping the animal in your sight.

If a Coyote Attacks a Human

In the case of a coyote attack on a human, call 911. The sheriff's office will respond and will notify the Colorado Parks and Wildlife so that they can track and/or destroy the animal.

How Can you Protect your Pet?

Coyotes may view domestic pets as a food source, and large dogs as a threat or possible mate. Coyotes have taken pets from backyards, open spaces and even right off the leash. Keep your pet current on vaccinations. Reduce the risk to your pet by following these guidelines:

Cat Owners

The only way to guarantee your cat's safety is to keep it indoors. Outdoor cats also face potential death from cars, diseases, foxes, parasites, raccoons, dogs and birds of prey, such as owls.

Dog Owners

Always supervise your pet outside, especially at dawn and dusk.

Keep your dog on a short leash while recreating - avoid retractable leashes.

Do not allow your dog off leash.

Do not allow your dog to play or interact with a coyote.

If possible, pick up your dog when coyotes are visible.

Avoid known or potential den sites and thick vegetation. Like domestic dogs, coyotes will defend their territory and their young.

If you must leave your dog outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.

If You Have an Incident with a Coyote

If a coyote attacks your pet, or if you have an unexpected encounter with a coyote in which the animal appears aggressive, please report the incident to Animal Control at 303-271-5070 or 303-277-0211 after normal business hours.

A coyote that bites a person must be destroyed. By feeding coyotes you put yourself, the neighborhood and coyotes at risk. It is unlawful to feed or intentionally attract coyotes in Jefferson County [CPW regulation #021].